Cookham are in different league

Cookham Dean promoted to TVL Div 1 last season proved to be a class above Wargrave on a good batting strip at the Rec on Saturday. In addition to their Zimbabwean professional who started the season with a ton the previous weekend, two players were making their debut and both made a considerable impact.

Cookham, batting first began with an explosion from debutant M Chaudhary who raced to 50 in only 20 balls - an exhibition of clean hitting to all parts. On his dismissal, LBW to Huw, 3 wickets were claimed by Euan in the space of 8 overs. R Lucas, also on debut, was joined by G Davis and the pair set about the bowling, adding 83 in 10 overs before the latter was well caught in the deep by Jack off the bowling of Freddie. In the same over Freddie, who was heard, as he slid face first trying to prevent another powerfully hit boundary, to vent his opinion on the merits of playing our wonderful game, took a second wicket - a double wicket maiden!

Wickets now fell at regular intervals, interrupted only by an outrageous cameo innings by the Cookham Pro G Mamhivo who plundered 35 from 13 balls. He was dismissed by a splendid one handed catch in the deep by Huw. Also taking good outfield catches in an encouraging day in the field were Jack and Freddie.

Mandip took 3 of the lower order wickets in the space of 21 balls but was unable to prevent the visitors from amassing 301 all out.

Cookham, who were not playing several of their leading batters, gave a strong batting performance at just under 7 runs per over, not a happy statistic for the bowlers. On a positive note the three spinners between them took 7 for 110 in 25.1 overs. Martin's early season strip was not a wicket for the seamers with both sets suffering equally.

Beginning their reply Wargrave, as usual set off like a train, reaching 33 in 3 overs. Imran, playing his first game for the 1sts, looked the part with several sweet shots before being beaten, it appeared, by pace. Soon after Mandip was bowled playing a shot he may have regretted. Euan and Chris steadied the ship with a stand of 46 but wickets fell relatively cheaply until the rains came and the match was called off. Faeez was distinctly unlucky being dismissed off the last ball of the match. This followed a prolonged discussion between the umpire and the two captains about the heavy rain which resulted in the decision to stay on. One ball was bowled, Faeez was dismissed and they came off.

The pick of the Cookham bowlers was Australian R Lucas with 9-5-21-3. This added to his batting made him an obvious candidate for Man of the Match.

This was a difficult game for Wargrave which emphasised the challenges they will encounter as they progress upwards within the TVL. On the day, Cookham played at an all round higher level which we were not able to match.